How to read your contract documents

Step-by-step guide

1. 1. Collect the complete agreement

   Collect the order, signed agreement, conditions, particulars or Contract Data, amendments, scope, drawings, specifications and pricing documents. Include documents incorporated by reference.

   Keep the tender qualifications and later agreed changes alongside them. Mark their status; a document you sent is not necessarily an agreed contract term.

   Use a document register with title, revision, date, source and agreement status. Preserve the original files rather than replacing them with a combined summary.

2. 2. Resolve document relationships and differences

   Look for a priority clause explaining how conflicts are treated. Do not assume the newest document automatically overrides every earlier one.

   Write down conflicts between quantities, drawings, programme dates and exclusions. Ask for clarification before pricing or performing disputed work where practicable.

   The JCT selection guide distinguishes forms for different arrangements. A familiar family name does not identify your exact obligations.

3. 3. Map the obligations into a working checklist

   For each obligation, record the action, responsible person, trigger, deadline, recipient and required evidence. Keep the clause reference beside it.

   Cover design responsibility, access, programme updates, instructions, applications, notices, completion, defects and ending the contract. Assign someone to maintain the map.

   The interactive contract course lets you practise this review on a worked contract and use a negotiation record to track proposed changes.

   Separate commercial questions from legal interpretation. An unclear indemnity, liability limit or incorporated term may require legal advice before a decision.

   A Signed contract review and action plan can help translate an agreed contract into this practical record of duties, dates and evidence.

4. 4. Assign ownership and keep the map current

   Check the map when revised documents arrive. Record who agreed a change and whether it affects price, dates or responsibilities.

   Read JCT and NEC compared for a starting comparison. Use the signed contract for the actual rules.

   This is general learning for the UK construction industry. Check your governing law, contract form and amendments. Statutory procedures differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Before you finish: Record missing documents and unresolved conflicts explicitly. Check that the site team is using the agreed revisions.

Worked example